Blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackEight’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackEight’, particularly characterized by medium to high yields, long production season and self-fruitful plants, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisBlackEight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blackberry cultivardesignated ‘DrisBlackEight’ and botanically known as Rubus L. subgenusRubus. This new blackberry variety was identified in Santa Cruz County,Calif. in June 2004 and originated from a cross between the proprietaryfemale parent blackberry plant ‘BH934-7’ (unpatented) and theproprietary male parent blackberry plant ‘BH936-6’ (unpatented). Theoriginal seedling of the new cultivar was first asexually propagated bytissue culture and root cuttings at a nursery in Santa Cruz County,Calif. in 2004. ‘DrisBlackEight’ was subsequently asexually propagatedby tissue culture and root cuttings and underwent further testing at anursery in Santa Cruz County, Calif. from 2010 to 2012. The presentinvention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type throughsuccessive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘DrisBlackEight’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywherein the world more than one year prior to the filing date of thisapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Santa Cruz County, Calif.

-   -   1. Medium to high yields;    -   2. Long production season; and    -   3. Self-fruitful plants.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new blackberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show the plant's canes, fruit, and leaves. The colors shown are astrue as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. The photographs are of plants that are 2 years old.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a young cane without spines.

FIG. 2 shows the flowers and the fruit at various stages.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following descriptions of ‘DrisBlackEight’ are based on observationsmade in Santa Cruz County, Calif. on 2-year old plants. This descriptionis in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, colordescriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from thestated values and descriptions depending upon variation inenvironmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions.‘DrisBlackEight’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology isfrom the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary2^(nd) edition, by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unlesswhere otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Rosaceae.        -   Botanical.—Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.        -   Common name.—Blackberry.        -   Variety name.—‘DrisBlackEight’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary blackberry plant named ‘BH934-7’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Proprietary blackberry plant named ‘BH936-6’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Vigor.—Medium.        -   Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.        -   Productivity.—Medium.        -   Propagation.—Tissue culture and root cuttings.        -   Self-fruitfulness.—Self-fruitful.        -   Time of bud burst.—Early; February 28.-   Canes:    -   -   Fruiting lateral length (4^(th) lateral from tip).—Average:            Short; 47.8 cm.        -   Number of fruit per lateral.—Average: 9.3.        -   Fruiting on current year's cane.—Absent.        -   Cane internodal distance.—Average: 6.5 cm.        -   Number of new canes during flowering.—Medium; 3-5.        -   New cane strength (observed full-grown shoot after            picking).—Strong.        -   Glaucosity observed on full-grown shoot after            picking.—Medium.        -   Young shoots.—Quantity: Medium; 6-8 new suckers by the end            of the season. Time of emergence from soil: Medium; late            May. Anthocyanin coloration (during rapid growth): Strong;            RHS 173A (Dark greyed-orange). Intensity of green color:            Medium; RHS 144A (Medium yellow-green). Number of glandular            hairs: Medium.        -   Dormant cane.—Length: Medium. Diameter (in central third):            Medium. Cross section (from mid cane observed at end of            first growing season): Rounded to angular. Color: Sunny            side: RHS 187A (Dark greyed-purple). Shade side: RHS 144A            (Medium yellow-green). Number of branches: Medium.            Distribution of branches: Only on upper third. Anthocyanin            coloration: Medium; RHS 187A (Dark greyed-purple). Spines:            Number of spines: Very few. Size: Small. Color: RHS 183C            (Medium greyed-purple). Density (on central third of cane):            Sparse. Texture: Medium to heavy; semi-smooth. Attitude of            apex in relation to cane: Outwards and downwards.-   Leaves:    -   -   Type.—Palmate.        -   Predominant number of leaflets.—Three.        -   Overlapping or relative position of lateral leaflets.—Free.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Medium; RHS N137B (Dark green). Lower            surface: Medium; RHS 144A (Medium yellow-green).        -   Glossiness of upper side.—Medium.        -   Cross section profile.—Concave (margins rolled inwards).        -   Leaflets.—Shape: Ovate. Margin: Doubly serrate. Depth of            incisions: Medium. Type of incision margin: Bi-serrate.            Apex: Convex. Base: Cuneate. Rachis length between terminal            leaflet and adjacent lateral leaflet: Average: 49.7 mm.        -   Lateral leaflet (basal pair).—Length: Average: 66.6 mm.            Width: Average: 44.6 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.5.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: Average: Short; 83.2 mm. Width:            Average: Medium; 61.9 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.3. Lobing:            Absent. Undulation of margin (rippling of margin): Strong.            Blistering between veins (rugosity): Medium. Shape: Oval.            Tip: Truncate. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Doubly serrate.            Cross-section: V-shaped.        -   Petiole.—Length average: 20.6 mm. Diameter average: 1.2 mm.            Pigmentation: Upper surface: Medium; RHS N144A (Medium            yellow-green). Lower surface: Medium; RHS N144A (Medium            yellow-green).        -   Stipule.—Size: Small; 14.4 mm on average. Orientation:            Erect.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Time of beginning of flowering on previous year's            cane.—Early; mid-May.        -   Time of beginning of flowering on current year's cane.—N/A.        -   Flower diameter.—Average: Small to medium; 41.22 mm.        -   Flower number (at 3^(rd) node from tip of lateral).—Average:            1.        -   Petal.—Length: Average: 18.9 mm. Width: Average: 11.80 mm.            Length/width ratio: 1.6. Color: RHS N155B (White).        -   Pedicel.—Length: Average: 40.9 mm. Diameter: Average: 0.98            mm.-   Fruit:    -   -   Time of ripening on previous year's cane.—Early to medium;            mid-June.        -   Time of ripening on current year's cane.—N/A.        -   Harvest interval.—Mid-June to early October.        -   Color.—Immature: RHS 146C (Medium yellow-green). Maturing:            RHS 185A (Dark greyed-purple). Mature: RHS 202A (Black).        -   Glossiness.—Medium to strong.        -   Shape in longitudinal section.—Long conical.        -   Size.—Medium to large.        -   Length.—Average: Medium long to long; 34.32 mm.        -   Width.—Average: Medium; 21.15 mm.        -   Ratio of length to width.—1.6 (longer than broad).        -   Weight (g/fruit).—4.5 g.        -   Soluble solids (%) (in Brix).—12.2.        -   Titratable acidity.—(% as citric acid): 1.04.        -   Seed weight (g/seed).—0.354.        -   Number of drupelets/fruit.—Medium; 70.        -   Size of drupelet.—Medium to large.        -   Firmness.—Firm.        -   Yield.—Medium to high.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: Not tested.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisBlackEight’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘BH934-7’(unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlackEight’ has much larger size fruit than‘BH934-7’. Additionally, ‘DrisBlackEight’ has thorns, whereas ‘BH934-7’is thornless.

‘DrisBlackEight’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘BH936-6’(unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlackEight’ has earlier production and largersize fruit than ‘BH936-6’.

‘DrisBlackEight’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Driscoll Carmel’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,058) in that ‘DrisBlackEight’ has mediumproductivity and oval shaped terminal leaflets, whereas ‘DriscollCarmel’ has high productivity and ovate shaped terminal leaflets.Additionally, ‘DrisBlackEight’ has long conical shaped fruit, whereas‘Driscoll Carmel’ has ovate shaped fruit.

‘DrisBlackEight’ differs from commercial variety ‘Driscoll Eureka’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 14,765) in that ‘DrisBlackEight’ has oval shaped terminalleaflets with truncate tips, whereas ‘Driscoll Eureka’ has ovate shapedterminal leaflets with acuminate tips. Additionally, ‘DrisBlackEight’has long conical shaped fruit, whereas ‘Driscoll Eureka’ has ovateshaped fruit.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named‘DrisBlackEight’ as described and shown herein.